Knill Monument

St Ives, Cornwall

Location Guide

Knill Monument is a granite pyramid or spire with 3
sides, around 50 foot high but thinish.
Built in 1782 by John Knill. He was
a local customs and excise man, who later became Mayor of St Ives. It
is said that he wanted
to be remembered after his death, so built this monument as a mausoleum.
He died in 1811 while in London aged 77 and was buried in Holborn.

It is now considered to be a follly and is
located 100 foot above sea level, on the top Worvas Hill close to Carbis Bay
which is near St Ives.

The
pyramid also caries a decently painted coat of arms. Its motto
"Nil Desperandum" is said to mean,
"Do not despair, trust in God!" while the inscription above
it "Resurgam" has been translated as "I shall rise again!"

He left
instructions in his will for 10 young virgins and 2 older
women, possibly widows, accompanied by the local minister, the Mayor
of St. Ives, a violinist, and a customs and excise man, to dance around
the pyramid every 5th year whilst spectators sang the 100th psalm, "Make
a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands." This is still performed
in St Ives on the 25th July, every 5 years. The
last time was in 2006, so 2011 will be the next time.

Its not clear if 'I
shall rise again' and being danced around by young virgins, was
designed to be amusing, was intended to make sure he was noticed, or
perhaps he didn't spot the way it could be read.

He left £25 to cover the
cost of each celebration, taking place every 5th year, defining the use
as:-

£10 for a dinner for the Trustees,
who are the Mayor, Vicar and Customs Officer at the time, and two
guests each. This to take place at the George and Dragon Inn, Market
Place, St. Ives.

£5 to ten little girls who have to
be the daughters of either fishermen, tinners or seamen.

£1 to the fiddler.

£2 to two widows.

£1 for white ribbon for breast
knots.

£1 to be set aside for a vellum book
for the Clerk to the Trustees to enter a Minute of the proceedings.

£5 to the man and wife, widower or
widow who shall raise the greatest family of legitimate children who
have reached the age of ten years.

If so, young
virgins are children, so this may be an event that photographers may
need to be careful at or their motives could be misunderstood, although
it is well attended and a lot of photographs are taken. In practice 11 are
chosen in case one has to pull out, but most times all 11 take part.

This all starts at 10.30am outside the
Guildhall in St. Ives where the Knill’s iron chest is opened with three
keys into the three locks by each of the Trustees. After a few words in
explanation the procession made up of the three Trustees, the Master of
Ceremonies, the fiddler merrily playing his fiddle, two widows, the 10
little girls and not forgetting many council members proceed to a place
where they board transport to take them to the Steeple. In years gone by
the procession would have walked, of course or maybe a carriage or two!!
Everyone is dropped off at the bottom of the hill and then proceed up
the very steep climb to the Steeple. The St. Ives Town band will have
been playing to the crowds since 11am.

At 12 noon the ceremony takes place around
the Steeple. The little girls join hands and dance around the Steeple to old
Cornish tunes played on the fiddle. The widows usually find someone to dance
with as well.! After fifteen minutes everyone stops to sing the Hundredth
Psalm "All people that on earth do dwell".

Worvas Hill is said to be
a lovely place full of rhododendron bushes and is a joy to see in the
Spring time. The view over Carbis Bay is truly spectacular on a
beautiful clear sunny day.

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